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Pro Sports Wrap - Sports Personality of the Day:Tony Romo

10/18 NFL Rumors: Carson Palmer Traded

October 18th 2011 19:00
What the Raiders did is perplexing to me, but it was the only way to get a starting quarterback. Look, I don't think any team wants to start Kyle Boller right now, and the Raiders were out of options. Everybody knew they had to overpay, but a first rounder is far too much for a below-average quarterback. Palmer isn't that bad, but Jason Campbell might actually be better. It was sad to see Campbell go down like that, as he was playing some damn good football this season. He really broke out as a game manager and remains one of my favorite players since his days with the 'Skins.

No matter how much I hate Mike Brown, now was a good time for him to let Carson Palmer continue his NFL career and move on with Andy Dalton. Even though it hurts his already dirt-low stature for being a pushover from his initial refusals to trade Palmer, he finally did something for the good of the team. I have always been highly critical of Brown, but this was actually a nice move. For the Raiders, it was necessary, as they are a team that can contend for a playoff spot. It's always good to see teams trying to make that push by adding guys at the deadline, much like teams do in baseball.


Two players on the Bears- Matt Forte and Chris Harris- have requested trades. Harris said that it is due to family reasons, but it is interesting to note that the underrated Harris was benched in favor of rookie Chris Conte. His replacement isn't that bad of a player, but he isn't of Harris's caliber.

Forte, on the other hand, is a premier running back who might just be the Bears' best player on offense. He wants more money, and it looks like at least two teams are very interested in acquiring the star. He is a good rusher who has great hands out of the backfield and had an RB Efficiency of 52.6 last season.


The reason why David Garrard did not sign on to be the starter for the Dolphins or Raiders was because of back surgery. His agent has lashed out against the Jags' organization for being classless and releasing him to avoid this injury problem. He also said that this is the difference between a great organization like the Colts and one like the Jaguars, citing the fact that the Colts re-signed Peyton Manning knowing about the injury. Although both players are of way different caliber, and it isn't the same case; Garrard's agent has a point, and if that's the case, then we'll just get a little angry inside and forget about it ten seconds later. It also is quizzical as to why the Jags held out the information about the injury, but Garrard wasn't exactly forthcoming about it either. Gene Smith's explanation of the events were

Initially, Sam Bradford's injury in the game against the Packers was ruled as very minor. Now, it seems like he has a high ankle sprain. If he's out and can't start throwing the ball to Brandon Lloyd on Sunday, there is no chance that this team wins. Bradford might be out for three to four weeks, so this season is quickly going from terrible to whatever is ten times worse than terrible. Do you really want to put the game in A.J. Feely's hands?

Brandon Lloyd was traded to the Rams for virtually nothing- in case you've been living in a cave and haven't heard. I expect Lloyd to catch 30 passes this season, and you really can't get much out of a fifth-rounder in the draft. Draft picks are extremely overvalued, but Lloyd will be a free agent after this season anyway. The Broncos want DeMaryius Thomas and Eric Decker to get more targets and are also very high on rookie tight end Julius Thomas, so that's part of the reason why he was traded. For the Rams, it means that Bradford actually has a legit receiver to throw to whenever he gets back from his apparent ankle injury. I also like the Lloyd-McDaniels connection, and I can see a lot of targets coming his way in this offense. My problem is that Steven Jackson won't get the ball enough, as he was running over the Packers but didn't get enough carries to truly make a difference despite the efficient outing when he did actually get the rock.
Carson Palmer
First rounders change a man's look an life (or a trade)
31
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2/2011 Team Scope: Denver Broncos

February 28th 2011 16:02
I like John Elway as the new Broncos' owner. He is making the majority of the team decisions public, which is nice because the fans get more of an idea of what their favorite team is doing. I hate GM Brian Xanders, and I will continue to hate him. He makes awful trades and decisions, and then he blames it on his coach who just happens to be a high profile one in the midst of a minor scandal which gives him adequate reason to fire the said coach. That being said, I love Denver's new coach John Fox. I have met him, and I think he is one of the best defensive minds of the past decade as well as a great people person. Players love to play for Fox. He handles everything systematically and diplomatically. Fox will bring something to this punchless defense.

Speaking of defense, that will be the Broncos' primary need heading into the draft. The Broncos will most certainly take a defensive player with the number one pick, and that player will probably be defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. He will fit whatever scheme the Broncos choose. Bowers led the NCAA last year with 15.5 sacks, and he is also a stout end against the run as well as a leader. The Broncos will definitely need all the rush D they can get. Let's take a look at the Broncos' current roster.

I think Kyle Orton should be the starter for Denver. Tim Tebow doesn't look like a true QB, but he isn't a bad player. I think he looks like a solid player right now, but Orton is far more accurate as a passer and is more efficient. He gets the ball downfield. Knowshon Moreno is a solid running back, but he is injury prone. Correll Buckhalter is an adequate backup. Brandon Lloyd is a speed demon that goes deep well. Jabar Gaffney is a solid veteran that provides some run blocking. Eddie Royal is speed and nothing else. DeMaryius Thomas has a ton of ability if he can get healthy, and fellow sophomore-to-be wideout Eric Decker is a sleeper for a nice year. They have depth, but they don't have much star power. However, I think the Broncos are fine at receiver.

Ryan Clady is one of the best offensive linemen in the league, and right tackle Ryan Harris is also a stud. Chris Kuper is a solid right guard, so the Broncos have a good foundation there. However, they need more depth on the O-Line. Their lack of depth showed last year when the injury bug took its chomps. Daniel Graham is a horrible tight end, and they need to upgrade at TE. Graham doesn't cut it. This offense is solid and gets the job done, but it isn't great. After this coming season, they need to assess where their wideouts are in their standing with the team. They need to cut and replace when needed, but that comes next year. For now, they have to wait and see.

The defense is where everything gets interesting. Jamal Williams is a great veteran nose tackle, but the depth at the position is really bad. Louis Leonard and Ronald Fields are terrible. If the Broncos ever want to think about using a 4-3 package- Fox's favorite- they are going to need to get a depth guy. Drafting Da'Quan Bowers would solve the problems at end. Justin Bannan isn't really a true end, and Kevin Vickerson is a poor player.

Elvis Dumervil is one of the best outside pass rushers in the game. Having him back will really boost the Broncos. DJ Williams is a great tackler that will get his mojo back. I hate RILB Wesley Woodyard. He was one of the worst players this past season, and it was no surprise when you look at just how terrible he is. They really need to start Mario Haggan over him.

Champ Bailey isn't getting any younger, but he is still a beast. Andre Goodman- 2 CB- and Perrish Cox- 3- should switch spots on the roster. Cox is a solid corner, but Goodman is a liability. Goodman might be okay as a nickel corner. Brian Dawkins is done, and he and fellow safety Renaldo Hill get burned too easily. One of them has to be replaced by a safety that is solid in coverage. Say bye, bye Brian.

Briton Colquitt is a solid punter, and Matt Prater is a decent kicker. Eddie Royal and Eric Decker make up a great return game tandem. Royal is one of the marquee punt returners in the NFL. The Broncos are not going to be in the playoff mix. They don't have enough star power for it, and they are still a rebuilding team. However, they will make some improvement from last year; especially if they have a good draft. They are in the position to take some nice pieces home on draft day.
Elvis Dumervil
17 Sacks in 2009
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2/2011 Top 75 Wide Receiver Rankings

February 26th 2011 14:29
1. Larry Fitzgerald- Still put up big numbers with nightmare QB carousel. Can catch absolutely anything. Has height, leadership, and athleticism.
2. Andre Johnson- Speed, height, and athleticism. Nuff said.
3. Brandon Marshall- If only he was reunited with Cutler.
4. Reggie Wayne- Peyton doesn't make him great. He helps, but Wayne can ball. Have you seen some of the catches he makes? This guy is amazing.
5. Roddy White- He can beat you deep and can play the possession game. 2010's best WR.

6. Greg Jennings- Jennings is a multi-threat receiver that is extremely tough to guard. You can't afford to give him any inch of space.
7. Calvin Johnson- Megatron is insanely gifted. His raw ability is off the charts.
8. Steve Smith CAR- This is a list by talent, and Smith is certainly incredibly talented. His speed, blocking, hops, catching, and deep play ability make him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
9. Mike Wallace- The best deep threat in the league.
10. Steve Smith NYG- The best possession receiver in the NFL.

11. Anquan Boldin- He had a down year, but he is still an athletic wideout.
12. Marques Colston- A great deep threat that is silky downfield.
13. Hakeem Nicks- Extreme talent, but he needs to work on his routes big time.
14. Santonio Holmes- For those of you that don't think he is great, why don't you reexamine that game winning Super Bowl TD catch? Or watch his speed? Or how about the fact that he was the 11th best receiver in the league in helping his team win games according to Advanced Football Stats' WPA score.
15. Miles Austin- He isn't great, but he's definitely good.

16. Jeremy Maclin- If only people realized that it is Maclin who is the best WR on the Eagles.
17. DeSean Jackson- Maclin may be better, but D-Jax and his crazy downfield speed are closely behind Mac. Jackson really needs to work on his route running and other skills instead of just blasting downfield.
18. Vincent Jackson- V-Jax is a huge redzone target and should be valued more by his own team. If he played the whole season, Rivers would be the easy MVP pick.
19. Dez Bryant- I can't wait till this guy fully develops. My best stroke of luck was when I found his rookie card in a Score pack for $1. I'll be holding on to that one.
20. Austin Collie- Collie is a catching machine.

21. TB Mike Williams
22. Wes Welker
23. Dwayne Bowe
24. Sidney Rice
25. Chad Ochocinco
26. Lee Evans
27. Kenny Britt
28. Santana Moss
29. Lance Moore
30. Johnny Knox
31. Brandon Lloyd
32. Braylon Edwards
33. Malcolm Floyd
34. Steve Breaston
35. James Jones
36. Pierre Garcon
37. Percy Harvin
38. Nate Washington
39. Steve Johnson
40. Mario Manningham
41. Davone Bess
42. Jordan Shipley
43. Mike Sims-Walker
44. Jordy Nelson
45. Hines Ward
46. Jerricho Cotchery
47. Mike Williams SEA
48. Robert Meachem
49. Roy Williams
50. Earl Bennett
51. TJ Houshmanzadeh
52. Mike Thomas
53. Michael Crabtree
54. Danny Amendola
55. Randy Moss
56. Nate Burleson
57. Bernard Berrian
58. Donald Driver
59. Kevin Walter
60. Devery Henderson
61. Devin Hester
62. Anthony Gonzalez
63. Ben Obomanu
64. Devin Aromashodu
65. Mike Jenkins
67 Harry Douglas
67. Patrick Crayton
68.Greg Camarillo
69. Brian Hartline
70. Josh Morgan
71. Jacoby Ford
72. Jacoby Jones
73. Early Doucet
74. Chaz Schilens
75. DeMaryius Thomas
Dez Bryant
Already 19th Best WR
33
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